The Asian Social Institute (ASI) opens its doors anew to prospective participants in the 2017 International Diploma Course in Community Development (IDCCD). The two-month short-term course carries a rich and varied tradition of experientially-based socio-cultural exchanges among different communities in Asia and the rest of the world as well as offers probing and insightful theories on best practices in community work. Since it was first offered as a short-term course in 1975, the IDCCD has already formed and trained more than a thousand community workers all oriented on ASI’s mission of, through transformative praxis, the holistic development of individuals towards justice, peace and integrity of creation.

The diploma course for 2017 will commence on April 4 and will end on May 27, 2017. Applications should be submitted on or before January 31, 2017.

Interested parties may get in touch with the Chair of the IDCCD Management Committee, Dr. Elsa H. Ruiz, through any of the following:

Course Description:

This is intended for social development practitioners, community extension managers, trainors, project administrators, project supervisors, and those who intend to engage in community development work.

The course emphasizes holistic, integrative and participatory approaches to community development work toward sustainability in the context of the growing global concern about climate change. Part of the course is a seven-day community immersion program that will expose participants to rural-urban settings to complement the concepts and principles acquired during the course.

Course Objectives:

The course generally aims to provide participants with necessary knowledge, attitudes and skills in community development as a strategy for social transformation.

By the end of the course, the participants are expected to analyze the various theoretical frameworks and approaches in working with various stakeholders, within their own socio-political and economic contexts and in relation to their present and intended future involvements. They should also be able to appropriately and meaningfully translate development concepts and principles into strategic plans of action.